Berwick Academy is currently accepting applications for the 2026 season. The application deadline is February 1, 2026. Decisions will be sent by February 15, 2026. In the 2026 season, we welcome applicants for violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, bassoon, trumpet*, and keyboard.
* In 2026, we welcome trumpet participants to join Berwick Academy June 30-July 6.
2026 Audition Requirements
Auditions should be video recordings, performed on period instruments at A=415. Recordings should showcase the applicant’s most recent playing abilities. We recommend using recordings created no more than one year prior to the application submission.
VIOLIN:
- Two movements from a J.S. Bach unaccompanied Sonata or Partita, or a Telemann fantasia (complete)
AND - Two contrasting movements of a baroque work with continuo accompaniment
AND - Opening Chorus (#1) of J.S. Bach BWV 207 (up to bar 89)
VIOLA:
- Two movements from a J.S. Bach cello suite or violin sonata/partita, or a Telemann fantasia (complete)
AND - One or two movements from a baroque work with continuo accompaniment
AND - J.S. Bach BWV 201 final chorus (#15), beginning to fermata (bar 32)
CELLO:
- One J.S. Bach prelude from the cello suites
AND - Two contrasting movements of a baroque work with continuo accompaniment
AND - The follow excerpts from J.S. Bach BWV 201:
#1 Chorus mm. 45-64
#3 Aria mm. 1-43
AND - The following excerpt from J.S. Bach BWV 207:
#4 Duette mm. 39-56
VIOLONE or DOUBLE BASS:
- Two contrasting solo works from the Baroque period. Transcriptions acceptable.
AND - The following excerpts from J.S. Bach BWV 201:
#1 chorus mm. 45-63, 69-90
#15 chorus mm. 32-65
AND - The following excerpts from J.S. Bach BWV 207
#1 chorus mm. 1-35
#3 aria mm. 1-25
FLUTE:
- Two contrasting movements of a sonata by Telemann or a Telemann fantasia
AND - J.S. Bach BWV 207 #7 (aria)
OBOE:
- Two contrasting movements of a sonata of your choice by Telemann or a Telemann fantasia
AND - J.S. Bach aria of your choice; if you play and/or have access to an oboe d’amore please indicate that in your application. You are also welcome (but not required) to include an aria or other excerpt featuring oboe d’amore as part of this application.
BASSOON:
- Two contrasting movements of a sonata of your choice by Telemann or a Telemann fantasia
AND - J.S. Bach’s 4th Orchestral Suite, Bourée 1 & 2
TRUMPET*:
- The following excerpts from J.S. Bach BWV 207
No. 1 Chorus
No. 5 Ritornello
No. 9 Coro
AND - The following excerpts from J.S. Bach BWV 201
No. 1 Coro (first part)
No. 15 Coro
AND - Any obligato aria by J.S. Bach (BWV 51, 75, etc.)
*In 2026, we welcome trumpet participants to join Berwick Academy June 30-July 6.
HARPSICHORD:
- One solo work by J.S. Bach
AND - A baroque work playing continuo from an unrealized score with one or two instruments